Metro Turbo 2000

[gsohoover]

Hello everyone,

I put an ad on craiglist saying that I was looking for vintage vacuums. Well, this guy had a vacuum and he said it was a Metro Turbo 2000. That intrigued me, I never heard of such a thing. I picked up the machine and some tools for a fair price. The machine works well and comes with the attachments. It also has some original bags. Scott (singingrainbow) found out that this machine was sold in the UK under Hitachi. Has anyone ever seen the US version? Also, when where they sold for? Any info would be greatly appreciated. I will try to get better pictures and make a video of it sometime. I need to make videos again. Thanks!

-Tyler

 

[suckolux]

Pretty sweet looking!

 

[kirbylux77]

Hmm, interesting machine! I wonder if Philips of Holland could have manufactured this? Some design elements I see in this upright look very typical of Philips designs.

Rob

 

[funvacfan]

Nice

That is an oddity...It sure does look like the Euro Hitachi. Any markings on the machine of the country of origin?

Can you do a pic of the bag compartment and the brushroll?

Guy

 

[DesertTortoise]

What does the data plate or tag say?

 

[dysonman1]

That was sold by Metropolitan Vacuum in Suffern, New York. Metropolitan is in business still today. For decades, Metropolitan rebuilt Electrolux cleaners for sale through Aldens, Spiegel, and other catalog companies. Even into the 1980's the model XXX "Metro Rebuilt" Electrolux was offered in catalogs. The Turbo 2000 was VERY 'ahead of its time" in the USA. I have the brochure for this machine, dated 1984. It's EXTREMELY RARE, arguably as rare as a Hoover model 0. Very few were sold, as Metro had almost no advertising for this cleaner.

 

[gsohoover]

Thanks everyone for the info!

The data plate says it was Made in Japan for Metropolatian Vacuum Company. I am quite surprised something this special showed up on my doorstep. The brushroll can be turned on and off with the switch on the head of the machine. The belt goes onto a side bearing that does not turn the brushroll. Thanks for all the nice comments. Thanks Tom for the info. Quite an interesting machine that I will bring to the convention and make videos of it. I will get more pictures of it today.
-Tyler

 

[gsohoover]

Pictures

Here are more pictures of the machine. There is a tab that goes over the bag to seal it and I don't have it. So I taped it shut. This machine won't see much use since bags and other things for it will be hard to find.
-Tyler

 

[sebo_fan]

Looks like a Hitachi to me.

 

[DesertTortoise]

Wow, you really lucked into a nice rare machine. Bravo and well bought.

I wonder if Metro still has some bags floating around for it? I'll bet they would be tickeled if you called them and asked.

 

[DesertTortoise]

Maybe Metro has one of those tabs? You never know. Mention it when you call for some bags. No, seriously. This is how I find stuff. Maybe it's your turn for the filter fairy to waive her wand over your head and bring you rare things.

 

[gsohoover]

I may do just that.

I would like to find replacement parts. Calling them about this machine may make them wonder LOL. Another option I have been told is that I look on UK ebay for parts. But not many people would ship over here to the states. Thanks everyone for the info.

 

[super-sweeper]

That vacuum is neat! It looks like the better-built and more-extremely-rare cousin of the Reginia Housekeeper, especially those like-totally-80s graphics on the front! good score! 

 

[singingrainbow]

"another option I have been told...."


I wonder who suggested that?


Here is a link for bags that do ship to the US.


Scott



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-Hitachi...877?pt=UK_Vacuum_Cleaners&hash=item33863641fd

 

[gsohoover]

Scott

Thank You for the info on the bags. Those bags look like they would filter better than the original ones. The originals are quite thin. But you did suggest ebay Scott haha. Glad I have found out more about this machine. It's alot more interesting than I thought.
-Tyler

 

[oreck_xl]

I actually stumbled across the same Metro Turbo 2000 at a rummage sale for a princely sum of $10.00 about 2 years ago. I put it away until now because I had a strong suspicion bags were long discontinued. If you do try those Hitachi bags, can you please let me know how well they work? Thanks.

- Hershel